The Dallas Cowboys boast one of the NFL’s most talented cores, but their path back to playoff contention hinges on contributions from recent draft picks. While much of the spotlight has fallen on third-round pick Cooper Beebe, who shone as a rookie at center in 2024, another member of that draft class is quietly positioning himself for a breakout year. Linebacker Marist Liufau, a third-round selection from Notre Dame, is ready to make waves in his second season and could soon become a household name among Cowboys fans.
During the team’s final minicamp practice, Liufau turned heads with his disruptive performance as a blitzer. According to Tommy Yarrish of the Cowboys’ official website, Liufau recorded two pressures that would have been sacks in a live game scenario, though he had to pull up due to the no-contact rules of minicamp. These flashes of brilliance during OTAs and minicamp signal that Liufau is primed to take the league by storm in 2025.
Under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, who typically employs a conservative approach to blitzing linebackers, Liufau’s skill set may force a strategic shift. As a rookie, Liufau showcased his pass-rushing prowess, amassing 1.5 sacks, 12 pressures, and 10 hurries on just 40 true pass-rush snaps, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). His 65.6 pass-rush grade trailed only teammate DeMarvion Overshown among Cowboys linebackers. Despite playing in all 17 games, Liufau was limited to 520 defensive snaps—11th on the team—as he adjusted to the NFL. However, his role is expected to expand significantly in his second year.
Liufau’s path to a starting role seems all but certain. With trade acquisition Kenneth Murray currently wearing the green dot as the defensive play-caller, Liufau is likely to compete for one of the two starting linebacker spots alongside Jack Sanborn, whose skill set complements Liufau’s aggressive, heat-seeking style. In his rookie season, Liufau recorded 50 tackles in just nine starts, along with two forced fumbles, demonstrating an innate ability to find the ball. His explosive downhill presence brings a dynamic element to a Cowboys linebacker corps that has long craved such a spark.
While Cooper Beebe has rightfully earned buzz as the Cowboys’ breakout star, Liufau’s trajectory suggests he could join his fellow 2024 draftee in becoming a cornerstone of the team. With an unteachable nose for the ball and a knack for disruption, Liufau is poised to emerge as the breakout player nobody’s talking about… yet. As the 2025 season approaches, don’t be surprised if Marist Liufau becomes the next star in a Cowboys uniform.